Led light source and chromaticity adjustment method for led light source

ABSTRACT

There is provided an LED light source whose chromaticity can be adjusted easily without changing its outer shape and suffering damage in the process of chromaticity adjustment. An LED light source includes an LED device, a fluorescent material that absorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LED device to emit light from itself, a sealing material that includes the fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device, and light scattering sections that are formed at a portion of a surface of the sealing material and scatter a portion of the light emitted from the LED device for adjusting chromaticity of the LED light source, and a chromaticity adjustment method for such LED light source.

This application is a new U.S. patent application that claims benefit ofJP 2008-272248, filed Oct. 22, 2008, the content of 2008-272248 isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an LED light source and a chromaticityadjustment method for the LED light source, and in particular, itrelates to an LED light source in which a portion of light emitted froman LED is wavelength-converted by a fluorescent material and achromaticity adjustment method for such LED light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, various LED light source products have been developedwith improved brightness and other characteristics. In particular, whiteLED light sources that can be realized by development of blue LEDdevices have advantages common to LED light sources, such as low powerconsumption and long life, and therefore receive attention as newillumination light sources that can replace fluorescent and incandescentlamps that are used for general illumination and interior lighting atpresent.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an LED light source 10.

In LED light source 10, an LED device 101 is disposed on a substrate. Inthe substrate, a pattern of a wiring conductor 103 for supplyingelectric power to the LED is formed on a base material 102. Further, LEDdevice 101 is mounted on the substrate by using die bonding paste, Agpaste and the like. Further, LED device 101 is supplied with electricpower from the outside via wiring conductor 103 on the substrate andbonding wires 104 and emits light.

Around LED device 101, a sealing material 106 is formed for protectingLED device 101. Further, a first fluorescent material is mixed in resinof sealing material 106. The fluorescent material absorbs andwavelength-converts a portion of the light emitted from LED device 101to emit light from itself. Further, a reflective frame 105 is disposedoutside sealing material 106.

In LED light source 10, a nitride compound semiconductor emitting bluelight is used as LED device 101, while an yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG)fluorescent material activated with cerium is used as the firstfluorescent material. As a result, white LED light source 10 emitspseudo white light in which the blue light from LED device 101 and theyellow light from the first fluorescent material are mixed together.

LED light source 10 in which LED device 101 and the first fluorescentmaterial are combined to emit the pseudo white light has a disadvantagein that chromaticity varies between individual LED light sources unlessa ratio between the blue light and the yellow light is constant.

It is thought that chromaticity variation between individual LED lightsources 10 occurs due to unevenness in the amount of the sealingmaterial, dispersion condition and particle size of the fluorescentmaterial, and the like.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of chromaticitycoordinates.

For example, as the amount of fluorescent material in sealing material106 increases, the chromaticity of LED light source 10 is shifted fromthe white region toward the yellow side on the chromaticity coordinatesand as the amount of fluorescent material in sealing material 106decreases, the chromaticity of LED light source 10 is shifted from thewhite region toward the blue side on the chromaticity coordinates. It isdifficult to avoid such variation of the chromaticity between theindividual LED light sources in the manufacturing process, and thereforeit is very difficult to mass-produce LED light sources having a constantchromaticity only.

Patent Document 1 describes a method for adjusting chromaticity bychanging a thickness of an upper part of a transparent resin layer afterhardening by polishing, coating and the like so as to change light pathsfrom an LED device.

FIG. 20 is diagram describing the chromaticity adjustment method as setforth in Patent Document 1.

In LED light source 20, an LED device 101 is disposed on a substratecomprised of base material 102 and wiring conductor 103 and it iselectrically connected with wiring conductor 103 via bonding wires 104.A sealing material is filled inside reflective frame 105 disposed on thesubstrate. At the lower part of the sealing material, a firstfluorescent material 21 is deposited and, at the upper part of thesealing material, only a transparent resin 22 is hardened.

FIG. 20( a) illustrates an example in which transparent resin 22 at theupper part is polished till a target chromaticity is obtained. In theexample of FIG. 20( a), transparent resin 22 is polished until the resinsurface is lowered from position 23 before polishing to position 24after polishing. As a result, the light is confined in a narrower space(of the transparent resin) and its reflection is repeated morefrequently, so that the probability that the light from LED device 101encounters the first fluorescent material increases, and thus thewavelength-conversion rate also increases. Therefore, the chromaticityof LED light source 20 is adjusted from blue to yellow.

FIG. 20( b) illustrates an example in which further resin is added aboveposition 23 of the resin surface so as to raise the resin surface toposition 25. In the example of FIG. 20( b), as the amount of resinincreases, the light passes through a larger space (of the transparentresin), so that the probability of light from LED device 101encountering the first fluorescent material decreases, and thus thewavelength-conversion rate also decreases. Therefore, the chromaticityof LED light source 30 is adjusted from yellow to blue.

Thus, it is possible to adjust the chromaticity by simply increasing ordecreasing the amount of the transparent resin. However, if there is anyrestriction on an outer shape of the LED light source, it is difficultto increase or decrease the amount of the transparent resin. Further,when the transparent resin is polished, the LED light source may beimpacted, scratched or otherwise damaged, so that malfunctions may occursuch as, for example, breakage of the bonding wires, damage of thereflective frame and the like.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2004-186488 (page 4, page 8 and FIG. 2)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an LEDlight source and a chromaticity adjustment method for the LED lightsource that can solve the above problems.

Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide an LEDlight source that hardly changes its outer shape and is hardly damagedin the process of chromaticity adjustment and whose chromaticity can beadjusted easily, and a chromaticity adjustment method for such LED lightsource.

According to the present invention, an LED light source includes an LEDdevice, a fluorescent material that absorbs and wavelength-converts aportion of light emitted from the LED device to emit light from itself,a sealing material that includes the fluorescent material and that isdisposed around the LED device, and light scattering sections that areprovided at a portion of a surface of the sealing material and scatter aportion of the light emitted from the LED device for adjustingchromaticity of the LED light source.

According to the present invention, a chromaticity adjustment method inan LED light source having an LED device, a fluorescent material thatabsorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LEDdevice to emit light from itself, and a sealing material that includesthe fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device,includes the step of forming light scattering sections on a surface ofthe sealing material that scatter a portion of light emitted from theLED device for adjusting chromaticity of the LED light source.

According to the present invention, a chromaticity adjustment method inan LED light source having an LED device, a fluorescent material thatabsorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LEDdevice to emit light from itself, and a sealing material that includesthe fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device,includes the steps of measuring chromaticity of the LED light source,and forming light scattering sections on a surface of the sealingmaterial that scatter a portion of light emitted from the LED deviceaccording to chromaticity correction amount for adjusting the measuredchromaticity to the desired chromaticity of the LED light source.

According to the present invention, a chromaticity adjustment method inan LED light source having an LED device, a fluorescent material thatabsorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LEDdevice to emit light from itself, and a sealing material that includesthe fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device,includes the steps of measuring chromaticity of the LED light source,determining positions of light scattering sections according tochromaticity correction amount for adjusting the measured chromaticityto the desired chromaticity, and forming the light scattering sectionson a surface of the sealing material that scatter a portion of lightemitted from said LED device according to the determined positions.

According to the present invention, a chromaticity adjustment method inan LED light source having an LED device, a fluorescent material thatabsorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LEDdevice to emit light from itself, and a sealing material that includesthe fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device,includes the step of forming light scattering sections that scatter aportion of light emitted from the LED device for adjusting chromaticitywhile displacing their positions on a surface of the sealing materialaccording to the chromaticity adjustment of the LED light source.

In the LED light source and the chromaticity adjustment method for theLED light source according to the present invention, preferably, thelight scattering sections include projections and depressions formed asdots, projections and depressions formed in the form of lines, orprojections and depressions formed in the form of planes.

In the LED light source and the chromaticity adjustment method for theLED light source according to the present invention, preferably, the LEDdevice emits blue light and the fluorescent material absorbs the bluelight and emits yellow light so that the LED light source emits pseudowhite light, wherein the light scattering sections axe provided in aregion within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity of thepseudo white light emitted from the LED light source toward the yellowside.

In the LED light source and the chromaticity adjustment method for theLED light source according to the present invention, preferably, the LEDdevice emits blue light and the fluorescent material absorbs the bluelight and emits yellow light so that the LED light source can emitpseudo white light, wherein the light scattering sections are providedoutside a region within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity ofthe pseudo white light emitted from the LED light source toward the blueside.

According to the present invention, by forming light scattering sectionson a surface of a sealing material, it is possible to provide an LEDlight source whose chromaticity can be adjusted easily without changingits outer shape and suffering damage in the process of chromaticityadjustment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood by reading the following detailed description, takentogether with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1( a) is a top view of an LED light source and FIG. 1( b) is across-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 1( a);

FIG. 2( a) is a diagram illustrating a light scattering section of anLED light source, FIG. 2( b) is a diagram illustrating another lightscattering section, FIG. 2( c) is a diagram illustrating yet anotherlight scattering section, and FIG. 2( d) is a diagram illustrating stillanother light scattering section;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary emission spectrum of anLED light source;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating exemplary chromaticity coordinates;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing behavior of light in a lightscattering section;

FIG. 6( a) illustrates an example of distribution of chromaticitycorrection (Δx), FIG. 6( b) illustrates a top view of an LED lightsource 10, and FIG. 6( c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Lin FIG. 6( b);

FIG. 7( a) is a diagram illustrating a top view of another LED lightsource 120 as well as its distribution of chromaticity correction, and,similarly, FIG. 7( b) is a diagram illustrating a top view of yetanother LED light source 130 as well as its distribution of chromaticitycorrection;

FIG. 8( a) is a diagram similar to FIG. 7( a), and FIG. 8( b) is adiagram illustrating a top view of still another LED light source 140 aswell as its distribution of chromaticity correction;

FIG. 9( a) is a diagram similar to FIG. 7( a), and FIG. 9( b) is adiagram illustrating a top view of still another LED light source 150 aswell as its distribution of chromaticity correction;

FIG. 10( a) illustrates an example of distribution of chromaticitycorrection of an LED light source 160, FIG. 10( b) illustrates a topview of LED light source 160, and FIG. 10( c) is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line A-A′ in FIG. 10( b);

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating other exemplary chromaticitycoordinates;

FIG. 12( a) is a top view of an LED light source 170, FIG. 12( b) is atop view of an LED light source 180, FIG. 12( c) is a top view of an LEDlight source 190, and FIG. 12( d) is a top view of an LED light source200;

FIG. 13( a) is a diagram similar to FIG. 7( a), and FIG. 13( b) is adiagram illustrating an LED light source 120′ in which a lightscattering section 121 in FIG. 13( a) is displaced rightward in thefigure by a distance d and designated as a light scattering section 122;

FIG. 14( a) is a top view corresponding to FIG. 13( a) as well as itscross-sectional view taken along line A-A′, and FIG. 14( b) is a topview corresponding to FIG. 13( b) as well as its cross-sectional viewtaken along line A-A′;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between displacementdistance d and chromaticity correction Δx;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating yet other exemplary chromaticitycoordinates;

FIG. 17( a) illustrates a pattern similar to light scattering section121 illustrated in FIG. 14( a), FIG. 17( b) illustrates a pattern inwhich a plurality of circular dot-like light scattering sections 220 areformed, FIG. 17( c) illustrates a pattern in which a plurality ofband-like light scattering sections 230 are formed concentrically, andFIG. 17( d) illustrates a pattern in which small square-like lightscattering sections 240 are formed in a matrix manner;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a white LED light source 10;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of chromaticitycoordinates; and

FIG. 20( a) is a diagram illustrating an example in which a transparentresin in an upper part is polished until a desired chromaticity isobtained, and FIG. 20( b) is a diagram illustrating an example in whicha resin surface is raised by adding further resin thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an LED light source and a chromaticity adjustment methodfor the LED light source according to the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. It should, however, be notedthat the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments described herein, but extends to the inventionsdescribed in the appended claims as their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating an LED light source according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 1( a) is a top view of LED light source 100 and FIG. 1( b) is across-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 1( a).

An LED device 101 is disposed on a substrate comprised of a base 102 anda wiring conductor 109 and is electrically connected with wiringconductor 103 via bonding wires 104. Base 102 preferably has insulatingand heat-resisting properties and it is made of glass epoxy, ceramic, BTresin, silicone and the like. LED device 101 is mounted on the substrateby using die bonding paste, Ag paste and the like. LED device 101 andwiring conductor 103 are supplied with electric power via bonding wires104.

A sealing material 106 is formed around LED device 101 to protect LEDdevice 101. As sealing material 106, transparent epoxy or silicone resinare used. Further, sealing material 106 includes a first fluorescentmaterial mixed therewith. The first fluorescent material absorbs aportion of light emitted from LED device 101 and emitswavelength-converted light. Further, sealing material 106 may include ascattering material for uniformly scattering the light emitted from theLED device 101.

A reflective frame 105 is disposed outside sealing material 106.Reflective frame 105 is made of material having high surfacereflectivity such as resin, ceramic, metallic material and the like, soas to efficiently radiate the light from LED light source 101 and thefirst fluorescent material to frontward.

In LED light source 100, a nitride compound semiconductor emitting bluelight is used as LED device 101, while an yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG)fluorescent material activated with cerium is used as the firstfluorescent material. As a result, LED light source 100 emits pseudowhite light in which the blue light from LED device 101 and the yellowlight from the first fluorescent material are mixed together.

On the other hand, in LED light source 100, 10 light scattering sections107 are formed in a circle in a region 71 within a critical angle on asurface 108 of sealing material 106, so that the chromaticity of thelight emitted from LED light source 100 is adjusted toward the yellowside on the chromaticity coordinates. Here, a dotted line 72 indicates aboundary of the region within the critical angle. The critical angle andthe chromaticity adjustment will be explained later.

The light scattering section refers to a part where a pattern is formedto scatter light. The shape and size of the light scattering patterndoes not have to be uniform and, for example, in place of asingle-layered pattern, multiple light scattering patterns havingvarious shapes and sizes may overlap to form the light scatteringsection. Here, when light going from the inside to the outside of LEDlight source 100 is scattered by light scattering sections 107 providedon surface 108, if 60% of the intensity of the original light is notscattered and does not change its direction and 40% of the intensity ofthe original light is scattered uniformly (i.e., more specifically,about 20% of the intensity of the original light is scattered to theoutside of LED light source 100 and about 20% of the intensity of theoriginal light is scattered to the inside of LED light source 100),scattering efficiency of the light scattering sections 107 is defined tobe 40%. Similarly, when the light going from the inside to the outsideof LED light source 100 is scattered by light scattering sections 107provided on surface 108, if 40% of the intensity of the original lightis not scattered and does not change its direction and 60% of theintensity of the original light is scattered uniformly (that is, morespecifically, about 30% of the intensity of the original light isscattered to the outside of LED light source 100 and about 30% of theintensity of the original light is scattered to the inside of LED lightsource 100), the scattering efficiency of the light scattering sections107 is defined to be 60%. Further, the LED device refers to asemiconductor light-emitting device, while the LED light source refersto a packaged electronic component on which the LED device and the likeare mounted.

FIG. 2 is detail diagram of patterns of the light scattering sections.

FIG. 2( a) is a diagram illustrating light scattering section 107 usedin LED light source 100. Light scattering section 107 is formed as adot-like recess and a plurality of projections and depressions 109 areformed on a surface of the recess to scatter the light. Projections anddepressions 109 have a surface pattern that is obviously different fromthat of original flat surface 108 of the sealing material. The dot-likerecess can be formed very easily by using a needle, for example. Lightscattering projections and depressions 109 are formed by stabbing thesurface of the sealing material with the needle.

FIG. 2( b) is a diagram illustrating another light scattering section110. In light scattering section 110, light scattering projections anddepressions 109 are formed by scratching, grinding or polishing surface108 of sealing material 106. Light scattering section 110 has an effectsimilar to that of light scattering section 107 illustrated in FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 2( c) is a diagram illustrating yet another light scatteringsection 111. In light scattering section 111, light scatteringprojections and depressions 109 are formed by grinding surface 108 ofsealing material 106. Light scattering section 111 has an effect similarto that of light scattering section 107 illustrated in FIG. 2( a).

FIG. 2( d) is a diagram illustrating still another light scatteringsection 112. In light scattering section 112, projections anddepressions 109 are formed separately and adhered to surface 108 ofsealing material 106 by adhesive tape and the like. Light scatteringsection 112 has an effect similar to that of light scattering section107 illustrated in FIG. 2( a).

As described above, the light scattering sections may be formed invarious ways. The light scattering sections described above are merelyexamples and it is possible to employ the light scattering sections thatare formed in different ways. For example, the light scattering sectionscan be formed by adhering or embedding particles to or in surface 108 orby separately fabricating a light scattering pattern and adhering it tosurface 108. The shape of the light scattering sections is not limitedto the dot-like one but it may be various ones such as linear, planarand so on. The linear light scattering sections can be formed by using acutter, a scriber and the like, and the planar light scattering sectionscan be easily implemented by polishing and the like. Further; in theforming process of the light scattering sections, no matter whether thelight scattering sections have dot-like, linear, planar or other shapes,light scattering projections and depressions 109 are formed on theirsurfaces.

For example, nanocrystalline particles each having a diameter of 200 nmor less can be adhered to surface 108, so as to form light scatteringsections that cause Rayleigh scattering that is stronger in the bluelight emitted from LED device 101 than in the yellow light from thefirst fluorescent material. Rayleigh scattering refers to scatteringthat occurs when the length of the light scattering pattern is shorterthan or approximately equal to the wavelength of the light. As describedlater, when the light scattering sections are formed in region 71 withinthe critical angle principally for the purpose of scattering the bluelight, the light scattering sections that cause the Rayleigh scatteringis particularly useful. Further, it is also possible to form lightscattering sections that cause Mie scattering that occurs when thelength of the light scattering pattern is longer than or equal to thewavelength of the light.

Next, an effect of chromaticity adjustment will be described.

As an example for illustrating the effect of the chromaticity, thenumber of light scattering sections 107 formed on surface 108 of sealingmaterial 106 (See FIG. 2( a)) is changed incrementally to be 0, 5, 10,15 and 20. Here, the case of 10 light scattering sections 107corresponds to LED light source 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, while thecase of 0 light scattering sections 107 corresponds to an LED lightsource 10 illustrated in FIG. 18.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary emission spectrum of anLED light source.

In FIG. 3, a dotted curve 31 indicates a spectrum of LED light source 10in which light scattering sections 107 are not formed, while a solidcurve 30 indicates a spectrum of an LED light source in which 20 lightscattering sections 107 are formed.

As apparent from FIG. 3, if the light scattering sections are formed toadjust chromaticity, a spectrum of the LED light source is changed sothat a peak around 450 am resulted from the blue LED is reduced and apeak around 560 nm resulted from the yellow fluorescent material isincreased. Thus, by forming the light scattering sections, chromaticitycoordinates of the LED light source can be shifted toward the yellowside.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating exemplary chromaticity coordinates.

In FIG. 4, the vertical and horizontal axes represent chromaticitycoordinate variation Δy and Δx, respectively. Here, the chromaticitycoordinate variation of the LED light source before the chromaticityadjustment (having 0 light scattering sections 107) is defined as anorigin (Δy, Δx,) (0, 0).

In the figure, chromaticity coordinate variation 40 corresponds to thecase of 0 light scattering sections 107, chromaticity coordinatevariation 41 corresponds to the case of 5 light scattering sections 107,chromaticity coordinate variation 42 corresponds to the case of 10 lightscattering sections 107, chromaticity coordinate variation 43corresponds to the case of 15 light scattering sections 107, andchromaticity coordinate variation 44 corresponds to the case of 20 lightscattering sections 107.

As understood from FIG. 4, the chromaticity coordinates of chromaticitycoordinate variation 40 are (0, 0), the chromaticity coordinates ofchromaticity coordinate variation 41 are (+0.001, +0.002), thechromaticity coordinates of chromaticity coordinate variation 42 are(+0.004, +0.008), the chromaticity coordinates of chromaticitycoordinate variation 43 are (+0.006, +0.011), and the chromaticitycoordinates of chromaticity coordinate variation 44 are (+0.008,+0.015), and therefore they incrementally move toward the yellow side.Thus, it can be understood that the number of light scattering sections107 is approximately proportional to the amount of the chromaticitycoordinate variation and, therefore, the chromaticity can be adjusted byforming the light scattering sections 107 of the number corresponding tothe desired amount of the chromaticity coordinate variation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram describing behavior of light in a light scatteringsection.

Reference number 50 in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of alight path at a point where there is no light scattering section. Whenlight from LED device 101 reaches surface 108 of sealing material 106from the inside of sealing material 106 at an angle α equal to or lessthan the critical angler incident light 401 from LED device 101 isalmost not reflected but goes out into the atmosphere as transmittedlight 402. Here, the critical angle is an angle inherent in LED lightsource 100 that is determined by a wavelength of the outgoing light fromLED device 101, a refraction index of sealing material 106 and the like.

Reference number 51 in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of alight path at the light scattering section. When light from LED device101 reaches projections and depressions 109 formed in dot-like lightscattering section 107 from the inside of sealing material 106 at angleα equal to or less than the critical angle, incident light 401 isscattered by projections and depressions 109 formed in light scatteringsection 107 and goes in various directions as scattered light 403. Thus,when there is the light scattering section at a point within thecritical angle, in contrast to reference number 50 in FIG. 5, a portionof scattered light 403 returns to the inside of sealing material 106.Due to scattered light 403 returning to the inside of sealing material106, the probability that the light emitted from LED device 101 impingeson the fluorescent material existing in sealing material 106 increases,and thus color conversion efficiency also increases. Therefore, thelight scattering section provided at a point within the critical angleallows the yellow light due to the color conversion to increase, so thatthe chromaticity of the light emitted from LED light source 100 can beshifted toward the yellow side on the chromaticity coordinates. In thiscase, intensity of the light returning to the inside of LED light source100 is determined by scattering efficiency of light scattering section107.

Reference number 52 in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of alight path at a point where there is no light scattering section. Whenthe light from LED device 101 reaches surface 108 of sealing material106 from the inside of sealing material 106 at an angle β equal to ormore than the critical angle, almost all of impinging light 401 from LEDdevice 101 is reflected on surface 108 of sealing material 106 andreflected light 404 returns to the inside of sealing material 106.

Reference number 53 in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of alight path at the light scattering section. When light from LED device101 reaches projections and depressions 109 formed in dot-like lightscattering section 107 from the inside of sealing material 106 at angleβ equal to or more than the critical angle, incident light 401 isscattered by projections and depressions 109 formed in light scatteringsection 107 and goes in various directions as scattered light 403. Thus,when there is the light scattering section at a point outside thecritical angle, in contrast to reference number 52 in FIG. 5, a portionof scattered light 403 goes to the outside of sealing material 106. Dueto scattered light 403 going to the outside of sealing material 106, thelight returning to the inside of sealing material 106 decreases and, asa result, the probability that the light emitted from LED device 101impinges on the fluorescent material decreases and, thus, the colorconversion efficiency also decreases. Therefore, the light scatteringsection provided at a point outside the critical angle allows the yellowlight due to the color conversion to decrease, so that the chromaticityof the light emitted from LED light source 100 can be shifted toward theblue side on the chromaticity coordinates. In this case, the intensityof the light returning to the inside of LED light source 100 isdetermined by scattering efficiency of light scattering section 107.

As described above, in LED light source 100 according to the presentinvention, the light scattering section 107 is formed at a portion ofsurface 108 of sealing surface 106 to generate scattered light 403 andchange the optical path in LED device 100, so as to adjust thechromaticity of the LED light source. The chromaticity adjustment methoddescribed above is completely different in principle from thechromaticity adjustment as set forth in Patent Literature 1 that isperformed by simply increasing or decreasing the amount of transparentresin 702. In LED light source 100 according to the present invention,light scattering sections 107 are formed at portions of surface 108 ofsealing material 106, so that chromaticity can be adjusted easily whilean outer shape of LED light source 100 is hardly changed and LED lightsource 100 is hardly damaged in the process of chromaticity adjustment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram describing distribution of chromaticity correctionand the critical angle.

FIG. 6( a) illustrates an example of distribution of chromaticitycorrection (Δx), FIG. 6( b) illustrates a top view of an LED lightsource 10, and FIG. 6( c) is a cross-sectional view 62 taken along lineL in FIG. 6( b).

FIG. 6( a) indicates distribution of chromaticity correction (Δx) 70toward the yellow side by the light scattering sections provided on lineL in FIG. 6( b). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6( b), when only alight scattering section 86 is formed on surface 108, the chromaticityof the LED light source is corrected toward the yellow side by an amountcorresponding to an area of a shaded part 73 in distribution ofchromaticity correction 70 in FIG. 6( a). Similarly, as illustrated inFIG. 6( b), when only a light scattering section 92 having thescattering efficiency equal to that of light scattering section 86 isformed on surface 108, the chromaticity of the LED light source iscorrected toward the yellow side by an amount corresponding to an areaof a shaded part 74 in distribution of chromaticity correction 70 inFIG. 6( a). Thus, assuming that one light scattering section having aconstant scattering efficiency and a constant area is formed on surface108, chromaticity correction (Δx) by the light scattering section islarger in a central part of surface 108 than its peripheral part. It isbecause that the intensity of the blue light is high and,correspondingly, the scattering effect by light scattering section 87 islarge at center O of surface 108 just below which the LED device isdisposed. Further, at center O of surface 108, the light that is emittedfrom the LED device and that reaches surface 108 through the shortestoptical path is less likely to encounter the fluorescent material andthere is a greater probability that such light reaches surface 108remaining as the blue light, and therefore the effect by lightscattering section 87 is large. Thus, if distribution of chromaticitycorrection 70 is utilized, it can be determined in advance how thechromaticity of the LED light source can be changed by where and how thelight scattering sections are formed.

In order to determine distribution of chromaticity correction 70 in FIG.6( a), a colorimeter is fixedly disposed straight above center O of LEDlight source 10. First, only light scattering section 80 is formed onsurface 108 to measure chromaticity and calculate the chromaticitycorrection or the chromaticity difference between when only lightscattering section 80 is formed and when no light scattering section isformed. Next, light scattering section 81 is additionally formed tomeasure chromaticity and calculate the chromaticity correction or thechromaticity difference between when light scattering sections 80 and 81are formed and when only light scattering section 80 is formed. In thismanner, the chromaticity correction is calculated every time lightscattering sections 80-94 are formed one by one on line L, so as todetermine distribution of chromaticity correction 70 with regard to aspecific LED light source.

Although distribution of chromaticity correction 70 in FIG. 6( a) isdetermined along line L in FIG. 6( b), it is also possible to determinethe distribution of chromaticity correction two-dimensionally alongsurface 108. In this case, the chromaticity correction may be calculatedevery time a plurality of light scattering sections are formed one byone not only on a specific line as illustrated in FIG. 6( b) but alsoover the entire surface 108.

An angle γ illustrated in FIG. 6( c) is the critical angle and a region71 in FIG. 6( b) indicates the region within the critical angle. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 5, the light scattering sections can beprovided in region 71 within the critical angle so as to adjust thechromaticity of the light emitted from LED light source 100 toward theyellow side on the chromaticity coordinates. Further, even on surface108 of sealing material 106, the light scattering sections can beprovided outside region 71 within the critical angle so as to adjust thechromaticity of the light emitted from LED light source 100 toward theblue side on the chromaticity coordinates.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating examples of other LED light sources.

FIG. 7( a) is a diagram illustrating a top view of another LED lightsource 120 as well as its distribution of chromaticity correction.Similarly, FIG. 7( b) is a diagram illustrating a top view of yetanother LED light source 130 as well as its distribution of chromaticitycorrection.

LED light sources 120 and 130 are similar to LED light source 100illustrated in FIG. 1, except for the light scattering sections providedon surface 108 of sealing material 106, the further description of whichis omitted. In FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b), dotted lines 72 indicate boundariesof regions within the critical angle. (See FIGS. 6( a)-6(c).)

In LED light source 120 illustrated in FIG. 7( a), a circular lightscattering section 121 is formed in the region on surface 108 within thecritical angle. Similarly to light scattering section 110 illustrated inFIG. 2( b), light scattering section 121 is formed by polishing surface108. However, other light scattering sections such as those illustratedin FIGS. 2( a), 2(c), 2(d) and so on may be formed.

By providing light scattering section 121 in the region on surface 108within the critical angle as illustrated in FIG. 7( a), the chromaticityof the outgoing light from LED light source 120 can be adjusted towardthe yellow side on the chromaticity coordinates. Further, as illustratedin FIG. 7( a), the chromaticity correction by light scattering section121 corresponds to an area of a shaded part 75.

In LED light source 130 illustrated in FIG. 7( b), four dot-like lightscattering sections 131-134 are formed in the region on surface 108within the critical angle. It is assumed that four light scatteringsections 131-134 have the same scattering efficiency as light scatteringsection 121 in FIG. 7( a).

By providing four light scattering sections 131-134 in the region onsurface 108 within the critical angle as illustrated in FIG. 7( b), thechromaticity of the outgoing light from LED light source 130 can beadjusted toward the yellow side on the chromaticity coordinates.Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7( b), the chromaticity correction bylight scattering sections 131-134 corresponds to a total area of shadedparts 76. By comparing shaded parts 76 with shaded part 75 indistribution of chromaticity correction 70 illustrated in FIG. 7( a),the degree of the chromaticity correction by light scattering sections131-134 can be known.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of still another LED lightsource.

FIG. 8( a) is the same diagram as FIG. 7( a). FIG. 8( b) is a diagramillustrating a top view of still another LED light source 140 as well asits distribution of chromaticity correction.

LED light source 140 is similar to LED light source 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except for the light scattering section provided on surface 108of sealing material 106, the further description of which is omitted. InFIG. 8( b), dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region withinthe critical angle (See FIGS. 6( a)-6(c)), and dotted line 121 indicatesa contour of light scattering section 121.

In LED light source 140, a circular light scattering section 141 that issmaller than light scattering section 121 illustrated in FIG. 8( a) isformed in the region on surface 108 within the critical angle. Similarlyto light scattering section 131 illustrated in FIG. 8( b), lightscattering section 141 is formed by polishing surface 108 and it has ascattering efficiency similar to that of light scattering section 121.

By providing light scattering section 141 in the region on surface 108within the critical angle as illustrated in FIG. 7( b), the chromaticityof the outgoing light from LED light source 140 can be adjusted towardthe yellow side on the chromaticity coordinates. Further, thechromaticity correction by light scattering section 141 illustrated inFIG. 8( b) corresponds to an area of a shaded part 77 in distribution ofchromaticity correction 70. By comparing shaded part 77 with shaded part75 in distribution of chromaticity correction 70 illustrated in FIG. 8(a), the degree of the chromaticity correction by light scatteringsection 141 can be known. Thus, assuming that the light scatteringsection has a constant scattering efficiency, it is possible to changethe amount of chromaticity correction (that is to say, chromaticityadjustment) by changing the area of the light scattering section.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating examples of still another LED lightsource.

FIG. 9( a) is the same diagram as FIG. 7( a). FIG. 9( b) is a diagramillustrating a top view of still another LED light source 150 as well asits distribution of chromaticity correction.

LED light source 150 is similar to LED light source 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except for the light scattering section provided on surface 108of sealing material 106, the further description of which is omitted. InFIG. 9( b), dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region withinthe critical angle (See FIGS. 6( a)-6(c)).

In LED light source 150 illustrated in FIG. 9( b), a circular lightscattering section 151 is formed in the region on surface 108 within thecritical angle. Similarly to light scattering section 110 illustrated inFIG. 2( b), light scattering section 151 is formed by polishing surface108 and light scattering section 151 is configured so that its area isthe same as that of light scattering section 121 illustrated in FIG. 9(a) but its scattering efficiency is lower than that of light scatteringsection 121.

By providing light scattering section 151 in the region on surface 108within the critical angle as illustrated in FIG. 9( b), the chromaticityof the outgoing light from LED light source 150 can be adjusted towardthe yellow side on the chromaticity coordinates. Further, thechromaticity correction by light scattering section 151 illustrated inFIG. 9( b) corresponds to an area of a shaded part 78 in distribution ofchromaticity correction 70′ in FIG. 9( b). Because light scatteringsection 151 is configured so that its area is similar to that of lightscattering section 121 but its scattering efficiency is lower than thatof light scattering section 121, it can be understood that thechromaticity correction of light scattering section 151 is smaller thanthat of light scattering section 121.

FIG. 10 is diagram illustrating examples of still another LED lightsource.

FIG. 10( a) illustrates an example of distribution of chromaticitycorrection of an LED light source 160, FIG. 10( b) illustrates a topview of LED light source 160, and FIG. 10( c) is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line A-A′ in FIG. 10( b).

LED light source 160 illustrated in FIGS. 10( a)-10(c) differs from LEDlight source 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LEDlight source 160 has light scattering sections 161 and 162 provided onits surface 108, and therefore the description of other elements areomitted. In FIG. 10( b), dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of theregion within the critical angle. (See FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b).)

Light scattering sections 161 and 162 are formed by polishing surface108 similarly to light scattering section 110 illustrated in FIG. 2( b)and it has a scattering efficiency similar to that of light scatteringsection 110. However, other light scattering sections such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 2( a), 2(c) and 2(d) and the like may be formed.Further, light scattering sections 161 and 162 are disposed outside theregion within the critical angle. As illustrated in FIGS. 10( a)-10(c),by providing two light scattering sections 161 and 162 outside theregion of surface 108 within the critical angle, the chromaticity of theoutgoing light from LED light source 160 can be adjusted toward the blueside on the chromaticity coordinates. Further, the chromaticitycorrection toward the yellow side by light scattering section 161illustrated in FIG. 10( b) corresponds to an area of a shaded part 79 indistribution of chromaticity correction 70 in FIG. 10( a). Here, thefact that shaded part 79 lies on the minus side in FIG. 10( a) meansthat light scattering section 161 can adjust the chromaticity of theoutgoing light of LED light source 160 toward the blue side on thechromaticity coordinates.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating other exemplary chromaticitycoordinates.

In FIG. 11, the vertical and horizontal axes represent chromaticitycoordinate variation Δy and Δx, respectively. Here, the chromaticitycoordinate variation of the LED light source before the chromaticityadjustment (when no light scattering section is formed) is defined as anorigin (Δy, Δx,)=(0, 0).

In the figure, chromaticity coordinate variation 80 indicates the casein which there is no light scattering section (corresponding to LEDlight source 10 in FIG. 18), and chromaticity coordinate variation 81indicates the case in which light scattering sections 161 and 162 areprovided outside the region on surface 108 within the critical angle(corresponding to LED light source 160 in FIGS. 10( a)-10(c).

Further, as understood from FIG. 11, the chromaticity coordinates ofchromaticity coordinate variation 80 are (0, 0), and the chromaticitycoordinates of chromaticity coordinate variation 81 are (0.0018,−0.0024), and thus they move toward the blue side. Therefore, it can beunderstood that the chromaticity can be adjusted toward the blue side byproviding the light scattering sections outside the region on surface108 within the critical angle.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating examples of still other LED lightsources.

FIG. 12( a) is a top view of an LED light source 170. LED light source170 illustrated in FIG. 12( a) differs from LED light source 100illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LED light source 170has light scattering sections 171 provided on its surface 108 and,therefore, the description of other elements are omitted. In FIG. 12(a), dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region within thecritical angle. (See FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b).) In the LED light source 170,a plurality of dot-like light scattering sections 171 are disposed alongan outer edge of top surface 108 of LED light source 170 outside theregion within the critical angle. The plurality of light scatteringsections 171 are recesses formed by using a needle similarly to lightscattering section 107 illustrated in FIG. 2( a). However, other lightscattering sections such as those illustrated in FIGS. 2( b)-2(d) andthe like may be formed. The chromaticity of the outgoing light from LEDlight source 170 can be adjusted toward the blue side on thechromaticity coordinates by providing the plurality of light scatteringsections 172, as illustrated in FIG. 12( a) on surface 108 outside theregion within the critical angle.

FIG. 12( b) is a top view of an LED light source 180. LED light source180 illustrated in FIG. 12( b) differs from LED light source 100illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LED light source 180has light scattering sections 181 provided on its surface 108, andtherefore the description of other elements are omitted. In FIG. 12( b),dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region within the criticalangle. (See FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b).) In LED light source 180, a pluralityof dot-like light scattering sections 181 are disposed in a circleoutside the region within the critical angle. The plurality of lightscattering sections 181 are recesses formed by using a needle similarlyto light scattering section 107 illustrated in FIG. 2( a). However,other light scattering sections such as those illustrated in FIGS. 2(b)-2(d) and the like may be formed. The chromaticity of the outgoinglight from LED light source 180 can be adjusted toward the blue side onthe chromaticity coordinates by providing the plurality of lightscattering sections 181 as illustrated in FIG. 12( b) on surface 108outside the region within the critical angle.

FIG. 12( c) is a top view of an LED light source 190. LEO light source190 illustrated in FIG. 12( c) differs from LED light source 100illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LED light source 190has light scattering sections 191-194 provided on its surface 108 and,therefore, the description of other elements are omitted. In FIG. 12(c), dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region within thecritical angle. (See FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b).) In LED light source 190, aplurality of band-like light scattering sections 191-194 are disposedconcentrically outside the region within the critical angle. Theplurality of light scattering sections 191-194 are formed by polishingthe surface similarly to light scattering section 110 illustrated inFIG. 2( b). However, other light scattering sections such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 2( a), 2(c) and 2(d) and the like may be formed.The chromaticity of the outgoing light from LED light source 190 can beadjusted toward the blue side on the chromaticity coordinates byproviding the plurality of light scattering sections 191-194 asillustrated in FIG. 12( c) on surface 108 outside the region within thecritical angle.

FIG. 12( d) is a top view of an LED light source 200. LED light source200 illustrated in FIG. 12( d) differs from LED light source 100illustrated in FIG. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LED light source 200 hasa light scattering section 201 provided on its surface 108 and,therefore, the description of other elements are omitted. In FIG. 12(d)<dotted line 72 indicates the boundary of the region within thecritical angle. (See FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b).) In LED light source 200, aband-like light scattering section 201 is disposed outside the regionwithin the critical angle. Light scattering section 201 is formed bypolishing the surface similarly to light scattering section 110illustrated in FIG. 2( b). However, other light scattering sections suchas those illustrated in FIGS. 2( a), 2(c) and 2(d) and the like may beformed. The chromaticity of the outgoing light from LED light source 200can be adjusted toward the blue side on the chromaticity coordinates byproviding light scattering section 200 as illustrated in FIG. 12( d) onsurface 108 outside the region within the critical angle.

FIG. 13 is a diagram describing displacement of the light scatteringsection.

FIG. 13( a) illustrates a state similar to FIG. 7( a). Thus, lightscattering section 121 is provided on surface 108 in the region withinthe critical angle so as to adjust the chromaticity of the outgoinglight from LED light source 120 toward the yellow side on thechromaticity coordinates.

FIG. 13( b) illustrates an LED light source 120′ in which lightscattering section 121 of FIG. 13( a) is displaced as it is rightward inthe figure by a distance d and designated a light scattering section122. A shaded part 75 in distribution of chromaticity correction 70 inFIG. 13( a) indicates the chromaticity correction of LED light source120, while a shaded part 125 in distribution of chromaticity correction70 in FIG. 13( b) indicates the chromaticity correction of LED lightsource 120′. Further, from FIGS. 13( a) and 13(b), it can be found thatan area of shaded part 75>an area of shaded part 125. Thus, thechromaticity correction can be changed (adjusted) by displacing thelight scattering section of a constant shape and area on surface 108.

Although both light scattering sections 121 and 122 are provided insidethe region within the critical angle, a light scattering section 123 isdisplaced further so that its portion is disposed outside the regionwithin the critical angle and the chromaticity is adjusted differently.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the displaced LED lightsource.

FIG. 14( a) is a top view and a cross-sectional view taken along lineA-A′ corresponding to FIG. 13( a). Further, FIG. 14( b) is a top viewand a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ corresponding to FIG.13( b).

LED light source 120′ illustrated in FIG. 14( b) differs from LED lightsource 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) only in that LED lightsource 120′ has a light scattering section 122 provided thereon and,therefore, the description of other elements are omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between displacementdistance (d) and chromaticity correction Δx.

Displacement distance (d) of the light scattering section of thescattering efficiency and shape and area same as those of lightscattering section 121 illustrated in FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) is changedand the chromaticity correction Δx is measured. As illustrated in FIG.15, there is a certain correlation between points 90, 91, 92, 93 and 94that indicate the chromaticity correction when displacement distanced=0, 170, 200, 220 and 310 μm, respectively.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating yet other exemplary chromaticitycoordinates.

In FIG. 16, the vertical and horizontal axes represent chromaticitycoordinate variation Δy and Δx, respectively. The chromaticitycoordinate variation of the LED light source before the chromaticityadjustment (when no light scattering section is formed) is defined as anorigin (Δy, Δx,)=(0, 0). Further, points 90-94 in FIG. 16 correspond topoints 90-94 in FIG. 15, respectively.

As seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the degree of chromaticity correction canbe corrected by changing displacement distance d of the light scatteringsection that is formed by a constant method and that has a constantsize. Thus, the chromaticity of the light emitted from LED light source120 can be adjusted toward the yellow side on the chromaticitycoordinates by forming light scattering section 121 illustrated in FIG.14( a), and further, the chromaticity of the light emitted from LEDlight source 120′ can be adjusted stepwise toward the blue side on thechromaticity coordinates by increasing displacement distance d of thelight scattering section of the same shape as light scattering section121.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating patterns of light scattering sectionsthat may be displaced when they are formed.

FIG. 17( a) illustrates a pattern similar to light scattering section121 illustrated in FIG. 14( a).

FIG. 17( b) illustrates a pattern in which a plurality of circulardot-like light scattering sections 220 are formed in the areasubstantially equal to that of light scattering section 121. Further,FIG. 17( c) illustrates a pattern in which a plurality of band-likelight scattering sections 230 are formed concentrically in the areasubstantially equal to that of light scattering section 131. Stillfurther, FIG. 17( d) illustrates a pattern in which small square-likelight scattering sections 240 are formed in a matrix manner in a largesquare of a predetermined size. FIGS. 17( a)-17(d) illustrate merelyexamples, and other patterns may also be employed for the lightscattering sections that may be displaced when they are formed.

Hereinafter, a chromaticity adjustment method for an LED light sourcewill be described.

First, LED light source 10 in which no light scattering section isformed as illustrated in FIG. 18 is fabricated and, then, the LED lightsource is allowed to emit light so as to measure chromaticity of theemitted light.

Next, if the measured chromaticity is not desired one, light scatteringsections are formed on surface 108 of the LED light source to performadjustment according to the difference between the measured chromaticityand the desired chromaticity. The relationship between chromaticitydifferences and types of the light scattering sections to be formed maybe determined in advance and the light scattering sections may be formedaccording to the relationship, so as to save cost and time consumed forthe chromaticity adjustment. For example, if there is a mediumdifference toward the blue side, 10 dot-like light scattering sections107 are formed as illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b); if there is asmall difference toward the blue side, 5 dot-like light scatteringsections 107 illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are formed in a circle;if there is a large difference toward the blue side, 20 dot-like lightscattering sections 107 illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are formedin a circle; and so on.

Further, as explained with reference to FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b), thechromaticity adjustment is also possible by forming the light scatteringsections which always have the same scattering efficiency and shape andarea as scattering section 121 illustrated in FIG. 14( a) and changingits forming position or, in other words, displacement distance (d)according to the chromaticity difference. In this case, the relationshipbetween the chromaticity differences and the displacement distances maybe defined in a table and the like and, based on the measurement result,the light scattering sections may be formed according to displacementdistances (d).

Thus, in order to reduce manufacturing cost of the LED light source, itis very effective to adjust the chromaticity by displacing the lightscattering sections formed by a constant method. More specifically, notby preparing plural types of light scattering sections and forming anyof them on the surface of the LED light source according to differencebetween the measured chromaticity and the desired chromaticity, but bydisplacing the light scattering sections of constant scatteringefficiency and constant shapes and areas, the light scattering sectionscan be formed very easily, and therefore the manufacturing cost can bereduced.

Although the above examples have been explained with reference to theLED light source that emits pseudo white light by using the LED deviceemitting blue light and the fluorescent material absorbing the bluelight and emitting yellow light, the present invention is not limited tothis combination and it may also be applied to other types of LED lightsources. For example, the present invention can be applied to an LEDlight source that emits pseudo-blue-green light by using an LED deviceemitting blue light and a fluorescent material absorbing blue light andemitting G-color light and an LED light source that emits pseudo-purplelight by using an LED device emitting blue light and a fluorescentmaterial absorbing blue light and emitting R-color light as well astheir chromaticity correction.

Further, the present invention can be applied to an LED light sourcethat comprises an LED device emitting blue light and a sealing resinmixed with plural types of fluorescent materials such as, for example, afluorescent material emitting G-color (hereinafter referred to as the“G-color fluorescent material”) and a fluorescent material emittingR-color (hereinafter referred to as the “R-color fluorescent material”).For example, by using light scattering sections provided on a surface ofan RGB-LED light source, chromaticity of the RGB-LED light source can beadjusted on a line on chromaticity coordinates determined by a mixingratio between the G-color fluorescent material and the R-colorfluorescent material.

Still further, the present invention can be applied to an LED lightsource including not only an LED device emitting blue light but also anLED light source emitting G-color light.

1. A chromaticity adjustment method in an LED light source having an LEDdevice, a fluorescent material that absorbs and wavelength-converts aportion of light emitted from said LED device to emit light from itself,and a sealing material that includes said fluorescent material and thatis disposed around said LED device, comprising the step of: forminglight scattering sections on a surface of said sealing material thatscatter a portion of light emitted from said LED device for adjustingchromaticity of said LED light source.
 2. The chromaticity adjustmentmethod according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: measuringchromaticity of said LED light source, and wherein the light scatteringsections are formed on the surface of said sealing material that scattera portion of light emitted from said LED device according tochromaticity correction amount for adjusting the measured chromaticityto the desired chromaticity.
 3. The chromaticity adjustment methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: measuringchromaticity of said LED light source; and determining positions of thelight scattering sections according to chromaticity correction amountfor adjusting the measured chromaticity to the desired chromaticity, andwherein the light scattering sections are formed on the surface of saidsealing material that scatter a portion of light emitted from said LEDdevice according to said determined positions.
 4. The chromaticityadjustment method according to claim 1, wherein said light scatteringsections include projections and depressions formed as dots.
 5. Thechromaticity adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein said lightscattering sections include projections and depressions formed in theform of lines.
 6. The chromaticity adjustment method according to claim1, wherein said light scattering sections include projections anddepressions formed in the form of planes.
 7. The chromaticity adjustmentmethod according to claim 1, wherein said LED device emits blue lightand said fluorescent material absorbs the blue light and emits yellowlight so that said LED light source emits pseudo white light, whereinsaid light scattering sections are formed in a region within a criticalangle so as to adjust chromaticity of the pseudo white light emittedfrom said LED light source toward the yellow side.
 8. The chromaticityadjustment method according to claim 1, wherein said LED device emitsblue light and said fluorescent material absorbs the blue light andemits yellow light so that said LED light source emits pseudo whitelight, wherein said light scattering sections are formed outside aregion within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity of thepseudo white light emitted from said LED light source toward the blueside.
 9. A chromaticity adjustment method in an LED light source havingan LED device, a fluorescent material that absorbs andwavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from said LED device toemit light from itself, and a sealing material that includes saidfluorescent material and that is disposed around said LED device,comprising the step of: forming light scattering sections that scatter aportion of light emitted from said LED device for adjusting chromaticitywhile displacing their positions on a surface of said sealing materialaccording to the chromaticity adjustment of said LED light source. 10.The chromaticity adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein saidlight scattering sections include projections and depressions formed asdots.
 11. A chromaticity adjustment method according to claim 9, whereinsaid light scattering sections include projections and depressionsformed in the form of lines.
 12. The chromaticity adjustment methodaccording to claim 9, wherein said light scattering sections includeprojections and depressions formed in the form of planes.
 13. Thechromaticity adjustment method according to claim 9, wherein said LEDdevice emits blue light and said fluorescent material absorbs the bluelight and emits yellow light so that said LED light source emits pseudowhite light, wherein said light scattering sections are formed in aregion within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity of thepseudo white light emitted from said LED light source toward the yellowside.
 14. The chromaticity adjustment method according to claim 9,wherein said LED device emits blue light and said fluorescent materialabsorbs the blue light and emits yellow light so that said LED lightsource emits pseudo white light, wherein said light scattering sectionsare formed outside a region within a critical angle so as to adjustchromaticity of the pseudo white light emitted from said LED lightsource toward the blue side.
 15. An LED light source, comprising: an LEDdevice; a fluorescent material that absorbs and wavelength-converts aportion of light emitted from said LED device to emit light from itself;a sealing material that includes said fluorescent material and that isdisposed around said LED device; and light scattering sections that areformed at a portion of a surface of said sealing material and scatter aportion of the light emitted from said LED device for adjustingchromaticity of said LED light source.
 16. The LED light sourceaccording to claim 15, wherein said light scattering sections includeprojections and depressions formed as dots.
 17. The LED light sourceaccording to claim 15, wherein said light scattering sections includeprojections and depressions formed in the form of lines.
 18. The LEDlight source according to claim 15, wherein said light scatteringsections include projections and depressions formed in the form ofplanes.
 19. The LED light source according to claim 15, wherein said LEDdevice emits blue light and said fluorescent material absorbs the bluelight and emits yellow light so that said LED light source emits pseudowhite light, wherein said light scattering sections are formed in aregion within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity of thepseudo white light emitted from said LED light source toward the yellowside.
 20. The LED light source according to claim 15, wherein said LEDdevice emits blue light and said fluorescent material absorbs the bluelight and emits yellow light so that said LED light source emits pseudowhite light, wherein said light scattering sections are formed outside aregion within a critical angle so as to adjust chromaticity of thepseudo white light emitted from said LED light source toward the blueside.